Harold M Keshishian Memorial
Also See The James M Keshishian Memorial Page
HALI Magazine #168
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IN
THEIR APPRECIATION OF THE LATE HAROLD KESHISHIAN in
this issue, his friends Bruce Baganz (President of the Board
of Trustees at The Textile Museum) and Russ Pickering not
only fondly remember his spirit and readiness to share his
vast experience of and expertise about oriental rugs, but
also point out that Harold was the last of the TM's direct
links to its founder, George Hewitt Myers, who Harold knew
personally. For me, a relative newcomer to the international
rug world, I cannot help but be slightly awed by such associations,
since much of what I have learnt about rugs, both in terms
of publications and collections, can somehow claim descent
back to pioneering collectors such as Myers, Joseph
McMullan, Arthur Upham Pope, and their fellow founding Hajji
Babas. Their influence and stewardship, whether in funding
research, publishing books, lecturing, hosting exhibitions
or collecting is still evident today, as can be seen in the
Art Institute of Chicago’s exhibition celebrating the work
of Arthur Pope, introduced
by Yuka Kadoi in 'Pope and Chicago' in this issue
(pp.64-67). The healthy foundations that they have left
behind are being added to bit by bit by a later generation
of collectors, who continue to be encouraged to share their
knowledge with a wider audience: Sonny Berntsson with his
enlightening folkloric research into the rugs of Cappadocia
(PP.40-47); the-staging of exhibitions with catalogues such
as the shows of sumakh bags in Traurt6tein (pp.l08-109),
Caucasian rugs in Gothenburg (pp.102-103), and Islamic art
in-Dubai (pp.106-107). The deep enthusiasm and excitement
felt by collectors in the area of rugs and textiles is
impressive and perhaps particular to this field - I cannot
think of another area of the art world in which personal
commitment gives such momentum, rather than just the market.
Alistair McAlpine, in a wide-ranging interview in this issue
(PP.27-33), has many apposite things to say about
collecting, and indeed dealing: "the chief ingredient of a
collector is courage." I particularly applaud his aside to
museums that do not delve into their own collections or take
their responsibility as custodians seriously enough. In this
light it is heartening that the De Young Museum, under its
new textile curator Jill D' Alessandro has declared a policy
of rediscovering its textile collections. I have tried to
find an easy way to segue into a comment about the latest US
embargo on Iranian goods, but there is none. By the time you
read this, the embargo will be place and it is likely that
it will be strongly enforced. It is not my place to comment
on US foreign policy or Iranian intransigency in the face of
international concern about its nuclear policy, but it is
apt for me to comment on the effect this will have on the
Iranian rug trade, which was beginning to rebuild a position
of strength in the export market to the US after many years
of losing ground to India, Pakistan, Nepal and China. The
structural effects on manufacturing and market share aside,
the reality of the policy is less work for the rural
communities engaged in rug weaving in Iran and the many
small family businesses involved therein, alas the last
people that the sanctions were designed to punish.Ben Evans Editor |
(to
download this article in .pdf, click here)
Barry O'Connell's words:
Harold Keshishian dead at 81
(http://www.spongobongo.com/ by Barry O'Connell)
In my life time I have have many friends but outside of family there are few I truly loved. Harold Keshishian was one of the few I loved like family. Harold died yesterday July 23, 2010 and it is like losing my father all over again. .
Harold was born in London England in 1929 to Mark and Margaret Develetian Keshishian. Mark Keshishian was a great hero, entrepreneur and freedom fighter who waged a one man effort to rescue the family from the Armenian massacres in Turkey after the Great War. I researched Mark when I helped Harold build thewww.Hadjin.com website. It was always a little frustrating that Harold took a very humble approach to his father's story when I thought it was more like an adventure movie plot.
When Harold was two his family moved to New York State to handle some investments which had suffered in the spreading depression. Father Mark pulled things together and relocated to Washington DC where he built DC's premier Oriental Rug store as well as a very successful commercial laundry. The infield of the stadium where the Washington Nationals play is on the site of the commercial laundry.
The family lived a comfortable existence in Washington and all three Keshishian children graduated from University. John the eldest went on to medical school and is today a prominent surgeon. James went to college in Cincinnati graduating from George Washington Univ and Harold graduated from Colorado School of Mines an engineering university located in Golden, Colorado.
Harold once told me he didn't make his money selling, but rather he made his money buying. He developed the knack of investing his money by his great knowledge and foresight. I remember one auction when a lot of Chinese rank badges shot far past the high estimate. Others at the sale were stunned that Harold would bid so much for the badges but what only the underbidder and Harold knew was that they were not Chinese at all but rather the far more rare Korean rank Badges. Whether is was real estate, carpets, or objects d'art Harold had the deep knowledge to make successful acquisitions.
Harold's real love was family. Harold made no secret of the great love he had for his wife Melissa. But more than just love he also respected her as his better in some areas. Harold used to tell me that he bought their farm in Poolesville for the land and how surprised he was that Melissa turned it into a successful business. Harold loved his children very much. I never met his eldest daughter by his first marriage but as a proud father he used to tell me about her latest doings. The younger three Kurt, Christopher, and Jocelyn were a great treasure to Harold particularly over the last several years as he battled cancer. He seemed to draw strength from Melissa and the children as he fought the good fight.
Today when Harold's nephew Mark called me he commented, "who is going to yell at us now'. That is very much the crux of the matter. Harold over the years said things to me that no one else would say but he said them in love and kindness.
Now as I dry my tears and finish this note I am going to light my best cigar and sit in the sun and remember my friend Harold...
Barry
See also: JohnBrown.org,
Notes on Harold and Melissa Keshishian,
http://www.hadjin.com/index.html www.Hadjin.com
A Town No More,
Harold Keshishian's Textile Rug Morning Part 1
ObituaryPublished in The Washington Post from July 26 to July 28, 2010 Harold M. Keshishian   KESHISHIAN
HAROLD M. KESHISHIAN March 20, 1929 - July 23, 2010 On
July 23, 2010, HAROLD MARK KESHISHIAN of Washington, DC.
Beloved husband of Melissa McGee Keshishian; devoted
father of Kirk, Jocelyn, Christopher and Elizabeth and
her husband Nicolas Tyler; brother of John Keshishian
and his wife Nancy Lee. Also survived by numerous
nephews and nieces whom he loved very much. Relatives
and friends are invited to call at JOSEPH GAWLERS SONS,
INC., 5130 Wisconsin Ave., NW (Corner of Harrison St.)
Washington, DC on Wednesday, July 28 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Services will be held at Gate of Heaven Cemetery Chapel,
13801 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD on Thursday, July
29 at 1 p.m. Interment private. In lieu of flowers,
memorial donations may be made to Prevent Cancer
Foundation, 1600 Duke St., Suite 500, Alexandria, VA
22314 or to Fisher House Foundation, 111 Rockville Pike,
Rockville, MD 20850-5168.
Published in The Washington Post from July 26 to
July 28, 2010
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